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For a SWiM install you only need a single cable for both tuners in the DVR to work so it's much simpler than either way you described it.

You'd use a two way splitter in the attic and it would still need to be power passing. The power passing leg would need to be routed to the basement with another 2 way splitter and then the power passing port on that would need to go to where ever the Power inserter is with one DVR behind the PI. The other port in the basement and in the attic would go to their respective receivers.

That sounds like a possible approach. Need to get the SL3 SWM, Power Supply, and a power splitter and work from there. Saw a package deal on eBay for a brand-new setup:

DirecTV SWM SL3S 3 LNB Kit 21v Power Supply, 4-Way Splitter for $59

I don't have the plan mainly because the last time a DTV guy came he slid off my roof , and then told me the trees had grown too tall since I had the original old round dish in the '90's. So I got a local authorized private guy to put up the SL5 and aim it. The trees keep growing and I can't move my house LOL, but I emailed him the signal stuff posted above and he texted me back saying he's going to try alignment, plus maybe use a tripod to elevate and stiffen the mount. He does a lot of commercial stuff, and is all over the region doing that. Private homes are maybe 20% of his business I think he said... so I just have to wait until he gives me a date & time now. But he's definitely coming in October.

UPDATE: My Dish guy called me last night and he has all the SWM stuff I need in his truck, so its just a few days until we can coordinate our schedules and hopefully my problems get solved and all my DVRs work.

Update: My local DTV Contractor came out yesterday and wound up replacing the SlimLine dish, the LNB arm, swapped in a new SL3 SWM LNB, new power supply, powered splitter, re-aimed my dish with his meter and then tweaked it with my help on phone while he was on roof. He also added a bi-pod to stiffen up the mount and said the bigger dishes should all have that. I now have signal strength of 85-100 on all three satellites, no pixillation, guide is correct, all three DVRs on a single cable. Signal strength is probably an average of over 90 as most are 92-96, a few 100's , a few 89's, a couple of 85's. Apparently the trees are blocking 119 as he first tried to fine tune old setup, but we decided that since the dish LNB arm was damaged by the tree that brushed it last Fall, we swapped out everything but the roof bracket, the main tube and the micrometer adjustment gimbal.

Woo-Hoo am I happy!

Edit: One of my existing wires snaked thru my crawl space in the attic had the lower signals. My guy said that the signal was OK... but I might want to replace that cable. He didn't have time and would rather not work in an unfinished crawl space with no floor just joists. Are there "good, better, best" quality cables? Shold I order pre-finished cables from Monoprice or Tartan and if so... just plain RG6 cables?

Update: My local DTV Contractor came out yesterday and wound up replacing the SlimLine dish, the LNB arm, swapped in a new SL3 SWM LNB, new power supply, powered splitter, re-aimed my dish with his meter and then tweaked it with my help on phone while he was on roof. He also added a bi-pod to stiffen up the mount and said the bigger dishes should all have that. I now have signal strength of 85-100 on all three satellites, no pixillation, guide is correct, all three DVRs on a single cable. Signal strength is probably an average of over 90 as most are 92-96, a few 100's , a few 89's, a couple of 85's. Apparently the trees are blocking 119 as he first tried to fine tune old setup, but we decided that since the dish LNB arm was damaged by the tree that brushed it last Fall, we swapped out everything but the roof bracket, the main tube and the micrometer adjustment gimbal.

Woo-Hoo am I happy!

Edit: One of my existing wires snaked thru my crawl space in the attic had the lower signals. My guy said that the signal was OK... but I might want to replace that cable. He didn't have time and would rather not work in an unfinished crawl space with no floor just joists. Are there "good, better, best" quality cables? Shold I order pre-finished cables from Monoprice or Tartan and if so... just plain RG6 cables?

If you want to do a new cable, I would use bulk cable, because premade cables will never be the right length. As long as you use quad shield cable, you should be good.

Blue Jean Cables has Belden 1505A... don't know if that is quad-shield or what. They say its best for runs under 25 feet. They like Belden 1694A for longer runs. Do you think "bulk" cable is better or worse than either of these, and can I buy bulk locally like at Home Depot or Radio Shack that is of equal quality?

That HR23 upstairs was only showing 80-86 max but downstairs its 85-100 on both, mostly 90's & 100's. Thats why he said the cable upstairs might be questionable but serviceable.